“FRENCH AND GERMAN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN CENTRAL ASIA”, 4 OCTOBER, 2024

On October 4, 2024, Adrien Houguet, Franco-German PhD and expert in cultural diplomacy, delivered a lecture at the TSUULL International Office as part of the #TSUULLTalks series. The session provided a deep exploration of how France and Germany have engaged with Central Asia through cultural initiatives, demonstrating the growing significance of cultural diplomacy in shaping international relations.
Mr. Houguet began by outlining the concept of cultural diplomacy, describing it as the use of education, art, literature, and cultural exchange as tools of soft power. He emphasized that while traditional diplomacy often relies on politics and economics, cultural diplomacy fosters mutual trust, understanding, and long-term cooperation between nations.

He then presented an in-depth analysis of French and German cultural institutes operating in Central Asia, such as the Institut Français and the Goethe-Institut. According to his research, these institutions play a vital role in promoting language learning, hosting art exhibitions, supporting academic exchanges, and creating platforms for intercultural dialogue. The lecture also examined specific examples of artistic and educational projects initiated by France and Germany, including collaborative theater performances, joint art festivals, and university exchange programs. Houguet explained how such initiatives have contributed to greater visibility of French and German culture in the region while simultaneously enriching Central Asian cultural life.